Baptismal Life Bible Class – Third Use of the Law, Part 15

Knowing that the Law can only produce “works of the law”(Rom 3:28) while the Gospel creates faith, which brings forth “fruits of the Spirit” (Gal 5:2) 1 Timothy 1:5), we might wrongly decide that the Law is not to be preached to believers.  In this study, we examine the Scriptural teaching concerning the third use of the Law as it is found in the Formula of Concord, VI and Romans, chapters 3-8.  This concludes the Bible Study on the Baptismal Life.

Handout: Baptism Apr 24 2016 Lesson 14

Baptismal Life Bible Class – The Baptized Using the Law Lawfully, Part 14

The law can only produce “works of the law”(Rom 3:28).  The Gospel creates faith, which brings forth good works, which are called “fruits of the Spirit”—“love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5).  So what are Christians to do with the law?  How do Christians use the law?  St. Paul tells Timothy, “But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully…” (1 Timothy 1:8).  This lesson introduces the topic of using the law lawfully.

Handout: Baptism Apr 24 2016 Lesson 14

Baptismal Life Bible Class – The Fruits of Faith: Spiritual Impulses and Works, Part 13

The fruits of faith are so much more than good works.  Without faith in Christ, which produces new spiritual impulses, we could not do good works.  Those impulses include submitting to God’s will, contentment, love, mortifying the old Adam, enduring suffering, facing death with peace and hope, etc.

“Therefore we also hold that the keeping of the law should begin in us and increase more and more. But we mean to include both elements, namely, the inward spiritual impulses and the outward good works.  Our opponents slanderously claim that we do not require good works, whereas we not only require them but show how they can be done” (Ap IV, 136).

Handout: Baptism Apr 13 2016 Lesson 13